Bookies tip Menacing, Coltrane for Castle Tankard

HARARE - Four-year-old geldings Menacing and Coltrane are the frontrunners to clinch the Castle Tankard that will be run over 2 000metres at Borrowdale Race Park on May 10 with a stake of $50 000 on the cards.

Menacing from the Lisa Harris stable carries a merit rating of 88 and enters the race on the backdrop of 17 runs that have yielded three wins and six placings.

The three wins for Goal Deputy’s son have come over 2000, 1800 as well as 1400 metres proving its versatility and that it will have a major say for local horse racing’s most coveted prize.

Harris stable will also represented by Alula Borealis carrying 60kg as well as Forty One carrying 52kg who are outsiders due to form.

According to the form book the South African-bred Menacing comes into the race carrying 54 kgs will face his biggest threat from Coltrane coming into the race with odds 5/1.

The four-year-old gelding carries a merit rating of 97. It has had 18 runs with three wins and six placings.

The son of Giant Causeway will also have the edge of being ridden by top world ranked jockey Antony Marcus, making it a favourite for punters.

Of the local crop, 2013 Republic Cup winner A King Is Born weighing 52 kg with odds 8/1 is fancied to give its challengers a run for their money.

A King Is Born is trained by Allison Wright and will be will be ridden by Dion Sampson.

Horserace commentator Adrian Nyadam yesterday gave his analysis on who he thinks is in with a shout at the 52nd Castle Tankard edition.

“There are few horses I will live out. Ginepri is a big outsider, Star Dance, Super Trooper, Forty One and Double Bind those four are outsiders they would surprise me if they came in the first three,” he told the Daily News yesterday.

“Of the visiting horses, Coltrane has a big chance. Owned by Joey Ramsden, the horse is in good form and has a good jockey in Antony Marcus.

“The next horse in the line-up I wouldn’t count out is Menacing that also comes from South Africa where the opposition is slightly stronger than in Zimbabwe. On the local scene I would imagine a King is Born has a realistic chance.

“A King is Born has beaten a number of these horses in the last year's run of the Castle Tankard so we can expect a lot from him.

“His main rivals will come in the form of the new horses on the block. I think this will have a very competitive race.”

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